There are numerous variables at play, chief among them who a team has beaten and where. But while we have a "what have you done for me lately?" mindset, we consider the rankings a snapshot of the whole season, not just one week; that's why - at times - teams are ranked below a team they may have beaten.

We update these every Tuesday at 1:20 p.m. Eastern time, so if your team isn't where you think it should be, check back in a week.

On to the rankings:

Mike Huguenin's Rivals 120

1. LSU (12-0)BUZZ: The Tigers' 41-14 thrashing of Arkansas (you've heard of "calling the Hogs," so I guess this was "the culling of the Hogs") was their 11th win by at least 13 points this season and their ninth by at least 26.
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. Georgia in Atlanta in SEC title game

2. Alabama (11-1)BUZZ: The Tide slapped down their in-state archrival and now get to kick back and relax while others scramble to get into the BCS. Actually, though, Nick Saban and his staff won't be relaxing at all.
NEXT GAME: Bowl game TBA

3. Stanford (11-1)BUZZ: Stanford seems a lock to make a second consecutive BCS appearance. The reason the Cardinal is a lock? Luck.
NEXT GAME: Bowl game TBA

4. Oklahoma State (10-1)BUZZ: There indeed will be bedlam in Stillwater on Saturday if the Cowboys beat their hated in-state rival and nab their first BCS bid.
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. Oklahoma

5. USC (10-2)BUZZ: Lane Kiffin always seems to act smug and have a smirk on his face. Now, though, he should act smug and have a smirk on his face: His team is the hottest in the Pac-12.
NEXT GAME: Season over

6. Virginia Tech (11-1)BUZZ: The Hokies were kicked to the curb by many after they lost to Clemson on Oct. 1. But they've rebounded to win seven in a row and - lo and behold - they get another shot at Clemson on Saturday.
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. Clemson in Charlotte in ACC title game

7. Oregon (10-2)BUZZ: If the Ducks show up and truly play Friday, they will put an epic beatdown on the Bruins.
NEXT GAME: Friday vs. UCLA in Pac-12 title game

8. Oklahoma (9-2)BUZZ: This season has been a disappointment for the Sooners. But they can put a salve on some of their wounds - and hurt their in-state rival in the process - with a victory Saturday.
NEXT GAME: Saturday at Oklahoma State

9. Wisconsin (10-2)BUZZ: As with Virginia Tech, the Badgers are getting a do-over in their league title game. A second consecutive Rose Bowl berth is on the line for the Badgers.
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. Michigan State in Indianapolis in Big Ten title game

10. Arkansas (10-2)BUZZ: Arkansas clearly is the third-best team in the SEC West. But that translates to being a top-10 team nationally.
NEXT GAME: Bowl game TBA

11. Michigan State (10-2)BUZZ: Michigan State looks to beat Wisconsin for the second time this season. The reward for another win would be the Spartans' first trip to the Rose Bowl since the 1987 season.
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. Wisconsin in Indianapolis in Big Ten title game

12. Houston (12-0)BUZZ: Nope, no pressure on the Cougars. Win and they go to the BCS, likely the Sugar Bowl. Lose and it's … well, how does a trip to the TicketCity Bowl in Dallas sound?
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. Southern Miss in Conference USA title game

13. South Carolina (10-2)BUZZ: The Gamecocks drilled their archrival to reach the 10-victory plateau for just the second time in school history.
NEXT GAME: Bowl game TBA

14. Boise State (10-1)BUZZ: The Broncos have scored at least 30 points in every game this season and have reached the 40-point plateau six times. Expect at least a 40-point outing this week.
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. New Mexico

15. Georgia (10-2)BUZZ: The 'Dogs have been bullies of late, winning 10 in a row. But they get the real big dog on Saturday.
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. LSU in Atlanta in SEC title game

16. Michigan (10-2)BUZZ: All is right in the world for Wolverines fans - they're finally celebrating another win over the hated Buckeyes and hoping for a BCS bid.
NEXT GAME: Bowl game TBA

17. Kansas State (9-2)BUZZ: Of the Wildcats' nine wins, seven have come by seven or fewer points. They don't care, though; they know that one more win likely means a Cotton Bowl bid.
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. Iowa State

18. TCU (9-2)BUZZ: TCU finishes up the season with Mountain West bottom-feeder UNLV. In the Big 12, where the Horned Frogs will reside next season, that's like finishing the season with Kansas.
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. UNLV

19. Baylor (8-3)BUZZ: This is the last chance for Baylor QB Robert Griffin to impress the Heisman voters. It also is a chance for Baylor to win back-to-back games over Texas for the first time since 1990-91.
NEXT GAME: Saturday at Texas

20. Clemson (9-3)BUZZ: Remember about a month ago, when some people were touting Clemson as a national title contender? Come on - it's Clemson. This is the 20th consecutive season the Tigers have lost at least three games.
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. Virginia Tech in Charlotte in ACC title game

21. Nebraska (9-3)BUZZ: Speaking of three-loss seasons, this is the ninth year in a row the Huskers have lost at least three games.
NEXT GAME: Bowl game TBA

22. Penn State (9-3)BUZZ: The Nittany Lions' defense finally wore out, getting gouged by Wisconsin. Hey, when you carry a team on your back, as the defense had been doing, you get tired.
NEXT GAME: Bowl game TBA

23. West Virginia (8-3)BUZZ: WVU still has a good shot at earning the Big East's automatic BCS bid. The Mountaineers must win this, then have Cincinnati win over UConn to get the bid.
NEXT GAME: Thursday at USF

24. Texas (7-4)BUZZ: Texas is 4-4 in Big 12 play; the Longhorns were 2-6 in league action last season and - get this - they haven't had back-to-back losing records in conference play since 1937 and '38.
NEXT GAME: Saturday vs. Baylor

25. Southern Miss (10-2)BUZZ: This is just the third 10-win season in school history; the Golden Eagles never have had an 11-victory season.
NEXT GAME: Saturday at Houston in Conference USA title game